Many football games are very close and will come down to a handful of important scoring plays that will ultimately determine the overall outcome of the game.
The best football teams find ways to score the most points while holding their opponent to as few points as possible. In football there are several different ways a team can score points. One of the most unique scoring plays is a safety.
So how many points is a safety in football? A safety is a scoring play in American football that is worth 2-points. A safety occurs when an offensive player retreats to their own end zone and is either tackled, runs out of bounds with the ball or if the offensive team commits a foul while in its own end zone.
Although most points in football are scored mainly through touchdowns and field goals safeties are an important part of the game and are something that every fan, coach and player needs to be aware of and understand.
In this article we will discuss more in-depth what a safety is and what the other type of scoring plays are in football that you should be familiar with as well.
Let’s get started.
What is a Safety
A safety in football is one of two things: a scoring play made by the defense that occurs by tackling their opponents in their own end zone or defensive position.
Here is the basic difference between these two football terms:
Safety Scoring Play
A safety is a scoring play in football that happens when an offensive player commits a foul while in their end zone or retreats back into their own end zone after the ball is snapped and is either tackled or if they run out of bounds.
A safety is the only way that the defensive can score without having possession of the ball. When a safety does occur the defensive team will be awarded two points and will receive the ball via a punt by the opposing team.
Safety Position
On the other hand, the term safety in football is also a defensive position. The safeties are defensive backs that are typically lined up behind the line backers and are about ten to fifteen yards from the line of scrimmage.
The responsibilities of the safety position may vary depending on the defensive scheme. They are generally responsible for and involved in pass coverage toward the middle and sidelines of the field. They are also a key component in run defense as well.
Now that we have covered these two key differences let’s talk more about the other type of scoring plays in football and how many points each is worth.
Football Scoring
There are four different ways teams can score and receive points in football; field goals, touchdowns, extra points and safeties. Each can play a critical role throughout the game and will ultimately decide who wins and who loses.
Here are the 4 different type of scoring plays in football and how many points are scored for each one.
Football Scoring Plays
| Scoring Play | # of Points |
| Safety | 2 |
| Touchdown | 6 |
| Extra Point | 1 |
| 2-Point Conversion | 2 |
| Field Goal | 3 |
Safety
A Completed Safety = 2 Points
How it’s scored
One of the most difficult ways to score in football and one you don’t see very often is a safety. A safety occurs when a team is tackled or makes some type of penalty in their own end zone.
If a safety occurs the opposing team will be awarded 2 points and will then receive possession of the ball via a punt.
Safeties are the only way the defensive team can score points without having the ball from a turnover. You don’t see safeties happen as often as field goals and touchdowns, but they are still an important part of the game of football.
Touchdown
Worth = 6 Points
How it’s scored
A touchdown (TD) is scoring play where a team advances the ball into the opponent’s end zone. This can be from passing, running, returning a punt or kickoff return or through a turnover.
Once a touchdown is scored the scoring team is awarded 6 points and can elect to either attempt to kick an extra point or they can go for a 2-point conversion. Most teams elect to kick an extra point unless they are down by a lot.
Extra Point
Made Extra Point = 1 Point
How it’s scored
After a touchdown is made an extra point can be attempted. The ball is placed on the 2-yard line (NFL) or 3-Yard (College) and the kicker attempts to kick the ball through the uprights and above the crossbar. If the ball does go through the uprights the team will receive 1 point.
2-Point Conversion
Successful 2-Point Attempt = 2 Points
How it’s scored
The other option the scoring team has after a touchdown is to attempt a 2-point conversion. The ball starts at the 2-yard line and the offensive team has one attempt or play to advance the ball across the opposing teams goal line. If the team is successful they will score 2 points. If not, they will not be awarded any points but still have the 6 points they scored on the touchdown.
2 Point conversions are more difficult compared to extra points and have an average success rate between 40% and 55%. Which is much lower than the extra point, but you do score 2 points instead of 1 if successful.
Field Goal
Made Field goal = 3 Points
How it’s scored
A field goal is when the offensive team kicks the ball between the opposing team’s uprights and above the cross bar. A field goal can be attempted anywhere on the field and if made the offensive team will receive 3 points.
If missed, the ball will be placed back at the original line of scrimmage and the opposing team will then have possession of the ball.
Source: NFL Rules
Football Scoring Questions
Can You Score 1 Point in the NFL?
Surprisingly or not you can score a 1-point safety in the NFL, but it is extremely rare. In fact, it has never happened in the history of the NFL.
It’s only possible if a team attempts an extra point or 2-point conversion and messes things up so bad they would be tackled in their own end zone resulting in the other team scoring 1 point.
What is a Scoring Drive in Football?
A scoring drive in football is when the offensive drives down the field and as a result ends up either kicking a field goal or scoring a touchdown.
Highest Scoring NFL Game Ever?
The highest recorded NFL game was in 1996 when the Washington Football Team and New York Giants lit up the scoreboard in the highest-scoring game in NFL History. Washington won 72-41 while both teams combining for 113 overall points.
Final Thoughts
In football there are so many games that come down to the wire and a play here or there can ultimately determine the outcome of the game.
Scoring can be hard to come by in football, especially for the defensive part of the ball. A safety is one of the few times that the defense can score and when this does occur it can be a big play within the game.
I hope you have found this information to be insightful and that it helps you on your journey of learning more about the wonderful game of football.